Chapter 3: Kakashi's Test

Team Seven stood in front of their Sensei, Kakashi Hatake, who was giving them a quick briefing.

"Before we begin the final test, let's get to know each other. I'll start. My name is Kakashi Hatake of the Hatake, Sarutobi, Nara and Inuzuka Clans; I'm 26 years old; I like seeing the faces of people I'm supposed to meet when I turn up late; I dislike turning up within three hours of when I was supposed to meet someone; and my dream for the future... I honestly don't really have one. Sasuke, you go next," Team Seven was annoyed by how much Kakashi enjoyed turning up late, much to Kakashi's amusement.

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha of the Uchiha, Hebimura, Nara and Hagoromo Clans," Sasuke began. "I'm 12 years old. I don't really like anything at all, but I dislike a lot of things. And this, this isn't a dream, it's the future. I am going to kill a certain someone."

"I see," Kakashi replied. He knew who this certain someone was. The man who had killed Sasuke's parents, Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha. "Well, Naruto, you're up next."

"Hell yeah! The name's Naruto Uzumaki of the Namikaze, Gamamoto, Uzumaki and Nara Clans, remember it!" Naruto grinned stupidly. "I'm... I think I'm 12. I don't really keep count," He spent a minute counting on his fingers. "Yeah! I'm 12 years old; I like ramen! I like ramen a lot! What I dislike... there are two things I dislike. First off: Sasuke. And secondly, a certain thing inside of me! And-"

"Hold on, Naruto," Sakura interrupted. "I don't like you very much, but we are a team now, so mind telling us what this thing inside of you is?"

"Err... Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked. Kakashi nodded. Naruto looked at both Sasuke and Sakura and sighed. "Well, all right then. But don't be too surprised, it makes me a little edgy. I am... the place... where the Fourth Hokage sealed the Nine Tailed Fox into when it attacked the day I was born."

Sasuke and Sakura both gasped. This made Naruto droop his head.

"What did I tell you?! Don't be too surprised!"

Sakura got angry, "HOW CAN WE NOT BE SURPRISED ABOUT THAT?!"

"Calm down Sakura," Kakashi sighed. "Naruto. Your dream for the future?"

"Oh yeah!" Naruto immediately sprung up. "My dream for the future is to be the greatest Hokage the village has ever known! Even greater than the Fourth Hokage!"

Kakashi chuckled, "Hahaha. Well, it is my job to help you on your way. Naruto, I would suggest successfully completing as many missions as possible. This will make you legible for the Chunin Exams. Sasuke, that will be your first step too. If you want to kill him you need to join the Anbu. Sakura, tell us about yourself."

"Well, my name is Sakura Haruno of the Haruno, Yamanaka, Senju and Namekuji Clans; I'm also 12 years old; I like... well... you know... a certain guy..." Sakura giggled and glanced over at Sasuke. "I dislike... Naruto," Naruto drooped his head again. "And finally... my dream for the future... is that certain guy. KYAAAAAH!"

"Yeah..." Kakashi began. "I'm not sure how to help you on that one..." He scratched his head. "Well anyway, let's begin the final test. The graduation exam was merely a preliminary, this is the true test to see of you are worthy of being called Genin. This test was invented by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. He passed this test down to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who passed it down to the Sannin, the three legendary ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village. Jiraiya Gamamoto, a member of the Sannin, passed it down to his student, the Fourth Hokage. As the Fourth Hokage was my Sensei, it was him who passed it down to me. And now, I'm passing this test down to you guys."

"But Kakashi-sensei, what is this test?" Sakura asked.

Kakashi took two bells out of this pocket. "All of you must take a bell from me. The one who doesn't manage to take a bell will be tied to that log over there, will not get any lunch, and will be sent back to the academy."

"Kakashi-sensei, were you tied to the stump when you became Genin?" Naruto asked.

Kakashi shook his head. "No. I believe you have come across Obito Uchiha before, yes?" he paused to let the three of them nod. "He was in my team when I was a Genin. It was him who was tied to the stump. I will let you in on a secret, if you are tied to the stump, there is still a way to become Genin. Remember that. Now, let's begin the final test in the Genin Exams."

Sasuke and Sakura were hidden among the trees. Kakashi, an elite ninja, didn't even know where they were. Naruto, however, was standing right in front of the Jonin.

"Why aren't you hiding like the others, Naruto?" Kakashi asked him.

"Cos I don't need to!" Naruto replied with a stupid grin. "I'm gonna take that bell right now!"

Kakashi opened his book and started reading, "Go for it."

Naruto ran up to Kakashi and tried to grab a bell, but with one hand free, Kakashi grabbed Naruto and threw him into the water.

"Idiot," Sasuke muttered under his breath.

Suddenly, the ground started shaking. Ten Narutos leapt out of the water, grinning.

"The Shadow Clone Jutsu," Kakashi observed, "I should've known."

One clone grabbed Kakashi's arm and kicked the book out of his hand. Kakashi threw this clone away and it disappeared in a puff of smoke. Another clone then kicked Kakashi in his sensitive parts.

"Na!" this clone shouted.

A third clone kicked Kakashi in the back as he was recoiling from the nutshot, "Ru!"

One more clone kicked the downed Kakashi in the head, "To!"

As Kakashi stood up, a fifth clone burst out from under the ground and punched him in the chin, knocking the elite ninja backwards, "Uzumaki Combo!"

As Kakashi fell back, a final clone appeared from behind the Jonin and took one of the bells. Kakashi realised this and decided that playtime was over.

"I underestimated you Naruto, but until you get that bell to your real body, you haven't passed," Kakashi started focusing Lightning Chakra into his right hand. "You aren't quite worthy for a Lightning Blade, but I can certainly give these clones of yours a taste of my Chidori."

Kakashi charged into each clone, punching every one in the stomach with his Chidori, every clone disappearing in a puff of smoke as soon as they were hit. He turned around to see that the clone with the bell was getting away quickly.

"Oh no you don't," Kakashi said as he chased after this clone. He was careless, he thought Naruto wasn't strong enough to take a bell, even if there were ten of him. If he had known, he would have used the Substitution Jutsu, or tricked him by making him attack a Shadow Clone of Kakashi's.

In this distraction, he tripped on a wire trap Naruto had set up and fell to the ground.

'This kid is making me lose my cool,' Kakashi thought, 'I need to calm down and find him before his real body gets hold of a bell.'

"I know what you're thinking, Kakashi-sensei," a familiar voice said behind him. "And it's too late. You're too late. I HAVE A BELL, SUCKER!"

Kakashi turned around to see Naruto holding a bell, "Is that your real body Naruto?"

Naruto nodded and created a one-handed hand seal, "If I did this seal as a clone, I'd be gone in a puff of smoke, right?"

Kakashi nodded and replied, "Yes. I underestimated you, Naruto Uzumaki. You pass. Go to Ichiraku Ramen and give them this card. Teuchi told me that if I ever pass a student, give him or her this and they would get a free meal, no matter what it would normally cost."

Naruto's eyes made it look like he was holding solid gold in his hand, "Kakashi-sensei... YOU'RE AWESOME!"

In a nearby tree, Sakura had figured the test out. Naruto had gotten a bell due to amazing teamwork with his shadow clones (which she still couldn't believe) so she needed teamwork to get hold of a bell. Sasuke. She needed to find Sasuke.

"Sakura," she heard Sasuke whisper behind her. "I know you've figured it out. We need to work together."

Sakura turned around, "Yeah, so what's the plan?"

Sasuke smiled, "I memorised Naruto's hand seals and have been practicing them by the stumps. I'm also a member of the Nara Clan, so I can potentially use the Shadow Clone Jutsu. And guess what?"

"What?" Sakura asked.

Sasuke chuckled under his breath and replied, "I've mastered Shadow Style: Shadow Clone Jutsu."